Sidney Rigdon Faction

(RLDS History of the Church 3:8–12)

Elder Rigdon was not content to preside by virtue of his being counselor to
Joseph Smith, but at a conference held in Pittsburg, in April, 1845, he perfected
an organization in which he assumed to occupy the place of President of the
Church made vacant by the death of Joseph Smith, and chose the following men
to occupy the offices named: Samuel James and Ebenezer Robinson, Counselors
to the President of the Church; Carvel Rigdon, Patriarch; Samuel Bennett, Hugh
Herringshaw, Jeremiah Hatch, Jr., James Blakeslee, Josiah Ells, Benjamin Winchester,
William Small, E. R. Swackhammer, D. L. Lathrop, Joseph M. Cole, G. W. Robinson,
and William E. McLellin a Quorum of Twelve Apostles; A. B. Tomlinson, J. F.
Olney, F. Meryweather, Leonard Rich, George T. Leach, J. M. Greig, and William
Hutchings, Presidents of Seventies; D. Savary, C. A. Beck, John Smith, Thomas
J. Lanyon, James Logan, J. A. Forgeus, Matthew Smith, Peter Boyer, Robert Kincaid,
Lewis James, James Spratley, and John Frazier, a standing High Council; Austin
Cowles, William Stanley, and Hiram Kellogg, Presidency of the High Priests’
Quorum; John Duncan, Briggs Alden, and William White, Presidency of the Elders’
Quorum; William Richards, T. L. Baker, and Richard Croxall were chosen to constitute
the Bishopric and Presidency of the Lesser Priesthood. Richard Savary, James
Smith, and Samuel G. Flagg were appointed a presidency over the Pittsburg Stake.

In addition to the organization of these quorums he organized a quorum of
seventy-three composed of those who “had been ordained under his hands
to be prophets, priests, and kings, unto God.” This quorum was not composed
of men who belonged exclusively to this quorum, but the names of men in other
quorums appear in this as well. This quorum was not provided for in the revelations
given to the church through Joseph Smith, and what authority Elder Rigdon claimed
for its introduction we do not know; nor do we know just what duties were supposed
to attach to them. We observe among them several names of men who afterward
severed their connection with this movement and were associated with other organizations.

This organization did not seem to have within it the elements of coherency,
but apostasies were frequent among its leading members. It maintained a struggling
existence for many years, but is now practically extinct, though we understand
there are a few persons who yet indorse Elder Rigdon’s claims. So far
as we know Elder Rigdon’s followers would compare favorably in moral standing
with the adherents of other factions. His teaching regarding loyalty to the
laws of the land was far more commendable than the teaching of some other leaders.
Others might have avoided much trouble and vexation had they heeded the instruction
he gave on this point at that April conference of 1845.

Brethren, hear my voice today, obey the principles of truth delivered, and
you never, no never, shall have a charge preferred against one of you. But
if you do not obey the laws of this kingdom, and work out salvation, you will
be cursed with sore cursings. Never break the laws of this land at the suggestion
of apostle, prophet, or even angel.—The Latter Day Saints’ Messenger
and Advocate, vol. 1, p. 171.

Elder Rigdon was expelled by the faction remaining at Nauvoo soon after the
death of Joseph Smith, by action of a High Council held in Nauvoo, over which
Bishop N. K. Whitney presided. But the minutes of the trial as published in
the Times and Seasons show it to have been an ex
parte affair, where the court was under the dictation of some members
of the Quorum of Twelve, who appear to have been accusers, witnesses, and, indirectly,
judges. (Times and Seasons, vol. 5, pp. 647–655,
660–667.) The causes for which he was expelled as summed up by Presiding
Judge Whitney were, according to Orson Hyde, very peculiar, indicating that
he was not expelled because of evidence then before the council, but for other
reasons entirely.

The question was then called for, whereupon Bishop Newel E. Whitney, one
of the first bishops in our church, arose at the head of his counselors, and
in a short and appropriate speech recounted Mr. Rigdon’s past history,
having been personally and intimately acquainted with him for nearly twenty
years. He observed that Mr. Rigdon, once before, in the early stages of this
church, while in Kirtland, received a false revelation, and appeared to be
just as certain that he was right as he now does, until he was sharply reproved
by Joseph Smith, and lost his license in consequence of it, which license
Bishop Whitney then held in his hands. He observed that Joseph Smith’s
uniform testimony concerning him was, that he would do well if some one could
hold the reins and stand over him with a rod; but that if he attempted to
govern or guide, he would run directly to destruction with all who followed
him. The decision of the Bishop was, therefore, that Mr. Sidney Rigdon be
cut off from the church of the true and living God. His counselors all arose,
one by one, and sanctioned the decision, making such other remarks as they
saw fit. It was then laid before all the quorums of authority and also the
whole body of the saints, all of whom sanctioned the decision, with the exception
of four persons. He was then delivered over to the buffetings of Satan by
the united voice of the whole church until he repent and humble himself before
God and his brethren.—Speech of Orson Hyde, p. 22.

The following, published in the Messenger and Advocate
for March 15, 1845, is important as indicating the attitude of the organization
under Sidney Rigdon towards the organization at Nauvoo under the Twelve; their
position regarding polygamy, keeping the laws of the land, and other issues
of importance:—

PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS, OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

Whereas, the connection which has heretofore existed between ourselves and
the people calling themselves the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
renders it necessary that we publish to the world a succinct statement of
facts relating to the position we now sustain to God and our fellow men; and

Whereas, in consequence of the rejection by that people, of what we undoubtedly
deem to be the order of the church and kingdom of God, and the introduction
of doctrines and practices clearly inimical to the law of God, and altogether
subversive of the laws of the land, abrogating the marriage contract, and
substituting under the professed sanction of Heaven, a system of extreme licentiousness,
uprooting every legal restraint, and eminently calculated in its very nature
to produce the entire destruction of every virtuous tie, and pouring contempt
upon every holy principle contained in the revelations of God to his creature
man, and must inevitably entail upon that people abject wretchedness and woe,
subjecting them to the righteous condemnation of every virtuous intelligence,
whether in heaven or on earth; and

Whereas, the better to conceal the justly odious system of polygamy, duplicity,
hypocrisy, and falsehood are inculcated as virtues, the most sacred obligations
constantly violated, and families and individuals plunged into irrevocable
ruin and despair; therefore

Resolved, that we hold no fellowship with the people calling themselves
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and can have no communion
with them, unless they repent and obey the principles of righteousness and
truth.

Resolved, that we maintain the truth and the truth only, at all hazards,
renouncing at once and forever, the unsanctifying dogma that it is sometimes
lawful to lie.

Resolved, that our subjection to the law of God impels us to yield implicit
obedience to the law of the land.

Resolved, that we maintain and do earnestly contend for the faith which
was once, and is again, delivered to the saints, contained in the Bible, Book
of Mormon, and Book of Covenants.

Resolved, that we feel it a solemn and imperative obligation we owe to God
and our fellow men to disseminate to the extent of our ability, correct information
regarding certain pernicious doctrines and practices which are secretly taught
by the leaders and many of the members of the society called the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; verily believing them demoralizing and
destructive, combining all the worst features of barbarism, and containing
all the elements of the wildest anarchy, and would if unchecked by the power
of truth, ultimately extinguish the species.—Messenger
and Advocate, vol. 1, p. 176.